Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Nanovel Develops Autonomous Citrus Harvesting Technology to Address Labor Challenges
Israeli ag robotics startup Nanovel is tackling the complexities of robotic citrus harvesting. Their patented autonomous harvester features robotic arms that can reach deep into citrus trees, using a vacuum gripper to collect fruit while minimizing damage. The system employs computer vision and AI to navigate the canopy and manage a fleet of robots. This innovation is significant as manual labor constitutes about 50% of production costs in citrus farming, particularly in regions sensitive to labor availability. Nanovel's technology aims to reduce these costs, with harvesting expenses estimated at $25-30 per 900-lb field bin compared to $42-43 for manual labor. The ability to schedule harvests reliably without dependence on seasonal workers enhances operational efficiency. Looking ahead, Nanovel plans to conduct trials with leading growers in southern Europe in 2027, followed by pilot deployments in 2028 and commercial rollout in 2029. The company has secured a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council to support its development efforts.
Agtech Artificial intelligence Deeptech EMEA Precision agriculture Startups & funding
Impossible Metals to Launch Advanced Marine Robotics Hub for Deep-Sea Mineral Harvesting
Impossible Metals, a US mining technology company, has announced plans to establish an Advanced Marine Robotics Hub in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This facility will focus on developing autonomous marine systems for the deep-sea collection of critical minerals, creating over a dozen high-paying engineering and science jobs. The hub aims to enhance US capabilities in marine robotics and critical mineral technologies through collaboration with local universities and researchers. The significance of this initiative lies in its potential to redefine deep-sea mining practices. According to Mike Regan, Chief Growth Officer at Impossible Metals, the hub will enable swarms of autonomous robots to harvest critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese with minimal environmental impact. This approach not only promises to produce the lowest-cost critical metals on Earth but also aims to strengthen the US supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign sources of essential materials. Looking ahead, the Advanced Marine Robotics Hub will serve as the primary research center for advancing the Eureka autonomous underwater platform and Smart Launch and Recovery Systems. The company plans to continue developing dual-use technologies that cater to both commercial and naval applications. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI and Robotics
Eternal.ag scales fully-autonomous harvesting robots with first customer Van Noord Growers
Eternal.ag, a German agritech startup, has launched its fully-autonomous greenhouse harvesting robot, known as Harvester, at Van Noord Growers in Zeeland, Netherlands. This deployment is part of a long-term agreement aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Van Noord Growers, which cultivates tomatoes and cucumbers across an 8.5-hectare facility. The Harvester robot is specifically designed for truss harvesting, offering a solution to labor shortages and increasing productivity in greenhouse operations. The collaboration reflects a growing trend in the agricultural sector to integrate advanced technology to streamline processes and improve crop yields.
Agriculture News agribusiness technology agricultural AI agricultural automation agricultural innovation
Eternal.ag launches Harvester: a fully autonomous tomato harvesting robot
Eternal.ag, a technology company specializing in agricultural automation, has unveiled its inaugural commercial product: a fully autonomous harvesting robot designed specifically for truss cocktail tomatoes. This innovative solution aims to revolutionize the harvesting process by eliminating the need for human operators, a significant advancement compared to existing robotic systems that typically require one operator for every five to six machines. Co-founder and CEO Renji John highlighted the efficiency of the new robot, stating that it can operate effectively with just one unit per hectare, making it suitable for larger farming operations. The launch of this robot marks a pivotal step in addressing labor shortages in agriculture and enhancing productivity in tomato harvesting.
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